Youth policies need a leader

“We need to talk to young people! said the schoolboy Iban in the introduction to the day of 20 October dedicated to the evaluation of 20 years of youth policies in France. The NeujPro debates were thus systematically commented by university students, members of the Allier Departmental Youth Council (CDJ) (333,000 inhabitants), a refreshing counterpoint to standardized speeches and without too many surprises on the part of the speakers.

Multiplication in steps

Focused on the municipality and its relations with the decentralized services of the state, youth policies have seen the emergence as actors of other levels of local authorities, such as the department.

“Multiplication of levels involves extending partnership fields and developing cross functionalities,” said Jordan Parisse, Head of Studies and Research at the National Institute for Youth and Popular Education (INJEP). A multiplication that deepens the complexity of the public policies implemented and prevents their readability. Furthermore, Rémy, a member of the CDJ, has repeatedly insisted on the challenge of essential communication, to make actions in favor of young people visible and understandable.

A logic of devices

Jordan Parisse continued: “In 20 years public action has been built on a logic of systems rather than of rights. According to him, this development is linked to the following observation: in Europe, depending on the country, young people are considered more as children or more as adults. In France they are more so as children.

“A positive development would be to consider young people also as adults, which would make it possible to move towards a logic of rights, which facilitates the construction of paths for young people”, suggested Jordan Parisse. A logic that would allow, for example, the opening of Active Solidarity Income (RSA) to young people aged between 18 and 25, recalled Quentin Bourgeon, representative of the French Youth Forum (FFJ).

Absence of common thread / Absence of leader

All the speakers agreed that it is difficult to see clearly in the stack of devices. Jonathan Bocquet, President of the National Association of Child and Youth Councils (ANACEJ) and Deputy Mayor (Radical Party) of Villeurbanne, admitted: “Youth policies are victims of what they represent. Every local elected official feels compelled to reinvent or undo what has been done right. “

Among the multiplication of levels and devices, the absence of a common thread was especially noted. “It is the question of the leader, who makes the general decisions and ensures the coherence of these public policies,” said Lucie Bozonnet, co-chair of the National and International Relations Committee of the popular youth and educational associations (CNAJEP).

Complexity detrimental to participation

“Illegibility is an issue directly related to the issue of participation,” said Jordan Parisse. Furthermore, Jonathan Bocquet admitted: “ANACEJ’s assessment is that we have not quite succeeded in our bet to strengthen the participation of young people at all levels. We are not converted to youth citizenship. “

Lucie Bozonnet wanted to give an example: the Universal National Service, a great reform aimed at young people by Emmanuel Macron. “This national policy around youth engagement was not built with young people, who are nevertheless both interested and experienced. The SNU was not designed with them, “he regretted. The university students agreed with him.” Too bad it’s mandatory, “Rémi complained.” We have to be able to go wherever we want, that’s the most important, ”Iban said.

Weakness of the proposals for the future

If NeujPro has allowed for a real overhaul of youth policies for 20 years, it has run out of energy when it comes to proposals for future changes.

What would be the most relevant local level to articulate these policies? The department, according to Jérôme Dumont, president (LR) of the departmental council of the Meuse (184,500 inhabitants). However, he qualified: “We must not intervene in the same way in the Allier or in the Meuse and in the Seine-Saint-Denis. What is the right level? It depends on the territory. The department is particularly relevant in rural areas. Few ways have therefore emerged for a future structuring and evolution of youth policies.